A Message from the Chief Justice

Thank you for visiting the website of the Alaska Court System. There is a tremendous amount of information here about our justice system, the laws that guide it, and the people who serve it. The public has a compelling interest in justice delivery, so our courts strive to be as open and accessible as possible. Thanks to our computerized case management system, there is specific information about the thousands of cases that come before our courts each year. Fostering better understanding of what happens in our courtrooms, and why, is a key value of the court system. This website plays a vital role in the effort, and we hope you will find it useful and easy to navigate.

As you visit the website for case information, court calendars, forms, appellate opinions, or any of the wide range of resources available here, I hope you will be reminded of the primary mission of the Alaska Court System, which is to provide a fair and impartial forum for the resolution of disputes. Fairness includes the opportunity to be heard, the chance to have the court process explained, and the right to be treated with respect. Impartiality requires that court decisions be based on the law and facts of a given case, not on the political convictions, personal views, or religious beliefs of those involved – or on such factors as a party’s race, gender, economic circumstances, or social status.

Ensuring fairness and impartiality is an active process, for which there are no shortcuts. And we all have a role to play. By respecting the laws that bind us, by understanding the fundamental goals of fairness and impartiality, and by recognizing the vital role courts play in protecting the ideals of our democracy, Alaskans can have confidence that the promise of justice for all will be served.